Toyota has unveiled a prototype HiAce van powered by a hydrogen-fuelled internal combustion engine and announced that the vehicle will undergo a customer pilot program starting December 2023.
The prototype Hydrogen HiAce adopts the V6 turbo petrol engine available in some overseas markets for the LandCruiser 300 Series. It drives the rear wheels through a ten-speed automatic transmission.
The engine has been modified to run on compressed hydrogen gas, using a direct-injection system. Maximum power output is 120kW with a peak torque of 354Nm.
Toyota says that while the hydrogen powertrain results in almost zero CO2 tailpipe emissions, the process of igniting hydrogen in the engine generates small amounts of oxides of nitrogen (NOx). These have been reduced to meet Euro VI emission standards by using a selective catalytic reduction system.
The HiAce’s three hydrogen tanks are similar to those used in Toyota’s second-generation Mirai with the company saying it is working on optimising the powertrain by enhancing the hydrogen storage, improving combustion, and exploring the possibility of adding hybrid technology.
Toyota says that the prototype will be driven in real-world conditions by Australian companies interested in the technology’s potential and through this program they will have the opportunity to evaluate the technology and provide feedback to Toyota to support further development. The aim is to being vehicles powered by hydrogen-fuelled internal combustion engines to full commercialisation.
Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (December 2023 / January 2024)
3 January 2024